Topics in this issue of Behind the Blue:
- New Blueberry Category Retail Sales Report Released
- Blueberries in the News
- Show Us Your Blueberry-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
New Blueberry Category Retail Sales Report Released
Check out the latest blueberry retail sales report provided by USHBC data partner SPINS. These reports help growers and marketers supplement their own internal data, provide insights into the marketplace, offer guidance for business decisions and plans, and inform negotiations.
Below is a link to a summary of blueberry retail sales through SPINS Period 10 week ending Oct. 7, 2023. The report provides a high-level summary of:
- Blueberry, berry category and produce category performance.
- Overall dollar, unit and volume sales trends for frozen and fresh.
- Trends by pack size.
- Trends by SPINS region.
Blueberries in the News
As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” and this has definitely been the sentiment of consumers who are missing having fresh blueberries readily available in their local retail establishments. In fact, consumers’ strong demand for their beloved blueberries has caught the attention of media outlets throughout the country. Here are just some of the stories that USHBC has been featured in over the last week related to the supply challenges consumers are facing as they seek out their cherished blueberries.
Due to copyright laws, this Forbes article is only accessible with a subscription, however, here are some excerpts.
“People don’t like to not have their blueberries,” says Kasey Cronquist, the president of both the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the North American Blueberry Council. “The enthusiasm for blueberries is still super high, even though there is a low supply.”
“The consumers want what they want – blueberries year-round,” says Cronquist. “This is a crop that’s highly dependent on mother nature.”
Blueberries were featured a second time in Forbes, this time featuring Blue Crew member Mackenzie Burgess and citing USHBC’s 2023 Wilder-Smith study that highlights the benefits of blueberries for gut health. The author notes, “In just [over] 80 calories, a 1-cup serving of blueberries delivers crave-worthy flavor and beneficial vitamins and minerals, including four essential nutrients — vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, fiber — and phytonutrients.” Read the full article here.
Plus, don’t miss USHBC President Kasey Cronquist’s 2024 blueberry outlook in Fresh Plaza.
Show Us Your Blueberry-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
As you plan your Thanksgiving meal, don’t forget to use USHBC’s library of blueberry-inspired recipes.
In fact, we would love to see how our blueberry industry members are incorporating blueberries into their Thanksgiving dishes. Send us a picture of your dish to be featured in the next issue of Behind the Blue!